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Age modulates the link between stress-related neural activity and mortality

Author

Listed:
  • Nidaa Mikail

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Noemi Sablonier

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Pimrapat Gebert

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich
    Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

  • Isabelle Glarner

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Adriana Vinzens

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Achi Haider

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich
    Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

  • Atanas Todorov

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Susan Bengs

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Angela Portmann

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Valerie Treyer

    (University Hospital Zurich)

  • Susanne Wegener

    (University of Zurich)

  • Christoph Gräni

    (University of Bern)

  • Aju P. Pazhenkottil

    (University Hospital Zurich)

  • Caroline E. Gebhard

    (University of Basel)

  • Vera Regitz-Zagrosek

    (Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

  • Felix C. Tanner

    (University of Zurich)

  • Philipp A. Kaufmann

    (University Hospital Zurich)

  • Ronny R. Buechel

    (University Hospital Zurich)

  • Alexia Rossi

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich)

  • Catherine Gebhard

    (University Hospital Zurich
    University of Zurich
    University of Bern)

Abstract

Stress-related neural activity (SNA), as measured by amygdala metabolism, has been linked in prior work to all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. In this study, we sought to clarify SNA determinants and test whether age modifies its association with all-cause mortality. Using 2-[18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET), we quantified amygdala metabolism, a surrogate for SNA, in 1,336 patients (mean age 59.4 ± 15.6 years, 37.8% women). Assessing demographic and imaging confounders, associations between SNA and mortality were evaluated in a subgroup of 960 participants with a median 5-year follow-up (IQR 3–9). Higher SNA appears independently associated with greater all-cause mortality across all age groups (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08-1.95; p = 0.012). The association is strongest in younger, healthier individuals (HR 7.86, 95% CI 2.92-21.21; p

Suggested Citation

  • Nidaa Mikail & Noemi Sablonier & Pimrapat Gebert & Isabelle Glarner & Adriana Vinzens & Achi Haider & Atanas Todorov & Susan Bengs & Angela Portmann & Valerie Treyer & Susanne Wegener & Christoph Grän, 2025. "Age modulates the link between stress-related neural activity and mortality," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64802-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64802-3
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